Cross Roads & Building Blocks
Chapter 53
"Ranger, do you want me to take you home first? Garner is at the groomer's and I need to pick her up."
We were almost in Reading from picking up Julie at the Philadelphia Airport when Stephanie mentioned the dog. I know less about dogs than I do about babies, but I know Garner impressed me the day we purchased the house. When she sensed potential danger, her protective instincts took over guarding my Babes. Even stepping in front of me. She gives me an added feeling of security when we move into our new house. It's somewhat remote with only the three houses on the street and the property behind being partially wooded. With my government job behind me, I feel my life is safer. I will always have enemies, but with us not in Trenton, my profile is lower. And, Stephanie doesn't have stalkers after her anymore since she gave up bounty hunting. If for some reason, I'm not there with them, I know the dog will be. For how protective she is with them, if needed, she would give her life for them I'm sure just as I would give up mine, and that earns my seal of approval. I wish we had more dogs like her. Why should I be the only one with a dog's name scrambled from mine?
Julie spoke up from the backseat of Stephanie's car, "What's a Garner?"
I saw Stephanie glance my way, "The German Shepherd she rescued."
"She named her dog after you, Dad?"
Sophia was laughing. I was getting the feeling it amused everyone how the dog had an eyebrow thing, even our baby, and was named after me.
"You'll see why, Julie," Stephanie giggled, "when you meet her."
"Let's go get the protector, Babe."
When Stephanie pointed out the industrial complex where 'The Good Mother Earth Company' was located, Julie wanted to know why we didn't live in Trenton and why we didn't work for Rangeman anymore. She didn't know I had been injured and I didn't want to lie to my daughter either.
"I said something stupid, Julie, which caused Stephanie to leave. I didn't know it until I returned from my government job. Before, I could apologize; I was injured on a takedown. I came to Reading to make things right with Stephanie and I've been recuperating here getting to know Sophia. She enjoys her job here and Trenton isn't that far away when the doctor releases me to go back to Rangeman full time."
Stephanie added, "We bought a house between the two cities so we could be together as a family."
"So," thinking about what we told her, Julie put the pieces together, "you didn't know about Sophia."
"No, but I was so glad when I did," kissing Stephanie's hand. "And, we are getting married."
"Cool."
Sophia made her point known, "Pllllllffffff!"
She pulled into the 'Furry Friends Spa and Pet Hotel'.
I looked at Stephanie; my eyebrow was up, "Garner's at a spa!"
Her blue eyes twinkling, "Yes, she's too big for the bath tub and I wanted her nails trimmed."
"Ok." Pets go to spas, too. I learned something new.
Stephanie gave me a surprised expression when I started to get out of the Impreza. "Babe, I want to see what a pet spa looks like."
Walking in across a gingerbread inspired porch, we were in a pale yellow entrance. The half-door to the right said 'Hotel', we went left into the 'Spa'.
"Wow," Julie remarked at the wall lined with pet shampoos, conditioners, food and treats, and toys.
"Garner is all done," a young girl told Stephanie. "She made a new friend today. They've been inseparable since Garner arrived for her appointment."
She was wagging her tail at the glass door watching us. There beside her was a slightly bigger fawn colored German shepherd male with black ears and black legs.
"Eeeeh!" I'm sure that was a 'happy to see the dog' yell from Sophia and also for a second one.
Julie walked over, "Garner must be the black one."
Beth opened up the door and Garner came running out as did her buddy right behind her.
"Who's your friend?" Stephanie bent down petting both shepherds, who sat down in front of her. Each kicked her face and Sophia's.
"Aaaah baaa eeeeh."
"Easy, Peanut," rubbing her little hand on the top of their heads. "Youre a pretty boy."
"Someone left him chained to our door two weeks ago," Beth related. "Dr. Bender's office checked him out and he's current on all his shots. Weve been trying to find 'Boy' here a good home. If we don't soon, we may have to take him to the shelter because we don't have the room here for him to run. He appears to be full bloodied and listens well."
"How old is he?" Julie was petting both dogs.
"We think almost a year."
I dont know what possessed me, but I said it, "Aspen Hite." I used all the letters on Stephanies name.
Everyone was looking at me.
"Why should my name be the only one scrambled to give a dog a name? Besides, I can't break up the pair," indicating the two dogs.
The brown shepherd was licking Garners ears.
"Carlos Manoso, youre a softie," Stephanie came to stand in front of me.
Denying it with a shaking head, "Babe, if he's half as good as Garner is protecting you and Sophia, then he's worth it. If for some reason I'm delayed at Rangeman, you have protection. We have three partially wooded acres they can secure."
"Would you please stop trying to save me? Us?" teasing me. "Youre expecting us to be invaded by fish?" Stephanie gave me an obvious eye roll for the macho.
"Babe, look how well my three best men did against your Grandma, they ended up in a net! We'll call him Aspen."
Both Garner and her doggie friend barked in agreement.
"Youre sure?"
"Babe."
Stephanie watched me for a moment.
"Beth, figure out the bill. Julie, why don't you pick out a dog bowl for Aspen's food and some toys for them," I said, "and a leash." Both of the dogs walked over to me, Garner gave me an eyebrow and nodded with my decision. I think we had a deal between us.
Stephanie and I were in the front seats of her car , Julie, Sophia, and Garner in the back seat, and Aspen was sitting happily in the cargo area. It was almost as hilarious riding in a church van with our pick-ups from the biker bar.
As she drove, Stephanie kept mouthing to me, "Softie."
"I'll show you softie later, Babe."
